Brilliant Suarez puts England on the brink

ENGLAND stand on the brink of an early World Cup exit after Luis Suarez blew Roy Hodgson’s men away with a deadly double in Sao Paulo.

Wayne Rooney thought he had snatched a draw for England after he equalised Suarez’s opener in the first half.

But with five minutes left on the clock Steven Gerrard accidentally put the controversial Liverpool striker through and he beat Joe Hart to give the Uruguayans a 2-1 win.

Only a minor miracle will keep England in the tournament now.

If Costa Rica and Italy draw on Friday afternoon, or the Central Americans beat Cesare Prandelli’s team, England will be eliminated with one match to spare.

If Italy won both their remaining games, Uruguay, Costa Rica and England will be tied for second spot, provided that Hodgson’s men win their final match.

That seems unlikely after the defensive performance shown here on Thursday night.

No team in World Cup history has gone through after two defeats, so England might as well start thinking about going home after next Tuesday’s game in Belo Horizonte against Costa Rica.

England showed promise in their first match against Italy, but in Sao Paulo they came up against a rigid and bruising Uruguay defence.

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They had their chances to take something from the game.

Rooney hit the bar and went close with a brilliant free-kick in the first half.

But once again, the attack cannot be blamed for the result.

England’s defence was poor. They always looked susceptible to pace and Suarez, despite being half-fit, caused them problems all night.

Suarez played up to the role of the role of pantomime villain from the beginning of the evening, winking at his Liverpool team-mate Gerrard in the tunnel.

His first touch was greeted by loud boos from the 8,000 England fans sporting red and white in the far corner of the stadium.

Those supporters were made to endure a nerve-jangling opening 10 minutes as England started on the back foot.

Suarez’s cross deflected off Gary Cahill’s head and Hart almost spilled the ball into his own net, before the England goalkeeper nervously palmed away a Suarez corner.

It was not the start England wanted.

The pressure lifted for a moment when Diego Godin was booked for punching Daniel Sturridge’s through-ball.

Rooney steadied himself and bent the resulting free-kick over the wall and narrowly wide of Fernando Muslera’s goal.

Uruguay soon had England rattled again.

Phil Jagielka made a real hash of his clearance and the ball fell to Cristian Rodriguez, who belted a left-foot drive that flew an inch over.

Gary Cahill soon followed suit, making another poor clearance, but once again Uruguay could not capitalise.

A concerned Hodgson came to the edge of his technical area to bark orders to his players.

It had little effect though as Uruguay continued piling on the pressure. Cahill had to put in a last-ditch tackle to deny Edinson Cavani and the Paris St Germain man then clipped a shot just over the bar.

Godin was lucky to stay on the pitch when his outstretched arm hit Sturridge in the neck.

Then came Rooney’s big chance of the first half. The striker connected with Gerrard’s free-kick just under the goal frame, but his header struck the frame and bounced out.

Then, seven minutes before the break, Suarez struck. Gerrard lost the ball on the halfway line while England had men upfield and Uruguay hit on the counter.

Glen Johnson gave Cavani enough time and space to curl a peach of a cross that looped over Cahill’s head and Suarez did the rest.

The Liverpool striker wheeled away before being mobbed by his team-mates. England’s defence again switched off after the break, allowing Cavani through, but luckily for the Three Lions, he shot wide.

Rooney found space in the box at the other end of the pitch, but he could only fire at Muslera.

It was as if he was destined to never score a World Cup goal. Gerrard’s emotions got the better of him as he clattered into Rodriguez to earn a booking.

Hodgson brought on Ross Barkley, who immediately injected some life into the England midfield.

Sturridge, Johnson and Barkley all entered the box, but nothing was working for England - until Johnson went on a run down the right flank.

Johnson, who had been poor all night, took one player on and slipped the ball through the legs of Alvaro Gonzalez to Rooney, who prodded home.

Hodgson leapt up in celebration and Rooney looked to the skies. Finally the monkey was off the Manchester United striker’s back.

Finally England could breathe again.

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England went for the kill. Sturridge broke into the box and was knocked to the floor by Alvaro Pereira, but the referee waved play on. But with five minutes left Suarez struck the killer blow.

Gerrard mistakenly flicked on a long punt and Suarez drove a low ball past Hart. England threw everything they had at Uruguay - Hart even came up for a corner - but nothing worked and Suarez was held aloft by his jubilant team-mates at the final whistle.

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Comments (8)

That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players. Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.

That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players.
Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.A Darener

That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players. Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.

Score: 0

A Darener says...8:26am Fri 20 Jun 14

That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players. Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.

That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players.
Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.A Darener

That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players. Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.

Score: 2

GracesDad says...11:00am Fri 20 Jun 14

A Darener wrote…

That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players. Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.

Totally disagree. The foreigners knowing the English game is irrelevant as all top teams study the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents anyway. I think the problem is much deeper in that we molly coddle modern day footballers in this country and pay them ridiculous amounts of money to the the point that they want for nothing. They have little or no passion. This is a cultural problem in my opinion.

[quote][p][bold]A Darener[/bold] wrote:
That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players.
Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.[/p][/quote]Totally disagree. The foreigners knowing the English game is irrelevant as all top teams study the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents anyway.
I think the problem is much deeper in that we molly coddle modern day footballers in this country and pay them ridiculous amounts of money to the the point that they want for nothing. They have little or no passion. This is a cultural problem in my opinion.GracesDad

A Darener wrote…

That result was a consequence of having foreign players playing or have played in England. Barotelli, scored Suarez, scored. They know the English way of playing, are friends with the English players and can exploit their weaknesses. Worst thing ever to happen to English football....the influx of foreign players. Ps I like the ten yard line spray....get it used in England next season.

Totally disagree. The foreigners knowing the English game is irrelevant as all top teams study the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents anyway. I think the problem is much deeper in that we molly coddle modern day footballers in this country and pay them ridiculous amounts of money to the the point that they want for nothing. They have little or no passion. This is a cultural problem in my opinion.

Score: 3

A Darener says...11:09am Fri 20 Jun 14

How can it be irrelevant, when these players come up against our players game after game? Suarez anticipated Gerrards move for the second goal because he plays with him week in, week out. No other player would have set off from the position he was in to get on the end of Gerrards mistake. But we will agree to disagree. That's what football is all about, opinions.

How can it be irrelevant, when these players come up against our players game after game? Suarez anticipated Gerrards move for the second goal because he plays with him week in, week out. No other player would have set off from the position he was in to get on the end of Gerrards mistake.
But we will agree to disagree. That's what football is all about, opinions.A Darener

How can it be irrelevant, when these players come up against our players game after game? Suarez anticipated Gerrards move for the second goal because he plays with him week in, week out. No other player would have set off from the position he was in to get on the end of Gerrards mistake. But we will agree to disagree. That's what football is all about, opinions.

Score: 0

GracesDad says...11:20am Fri 20 Jun 14

A Darener wrote…

How can it be irrelevant, when these players come up against our players game after game? Suarez anticipated Gerrards move for the second goal because he plays with him week in, week out. No other player would have set off from the position he was in to get on the end of Gerrards mistake. But we will agree to disagree. That's what football is all about, opinions.

I think in Suarez' case, he is simply a genius footballer. Ex players used to say about King Kenny that he was 2 passes quicker in his head than anyone else and I believe this is the case with Suarez. To counter your point about Jonny freigner knowing our game too well, the opposite could be said. Joe Hart knows Ballotelli inside out and there were 5 Liverpool players who play everyday with Suarez. So what is our excuse for letting them score the crucial goals? Simple fact is, they are better than we are!!!

[quote][p][bold]A Darener[/bold] wrote:
How can it be irrelevant, when these players come up against our players game after game? Suarez anticipated Gerrards move for the second goal because he plays with him week in, week out. No other player would have set off from the position he was in to get on the end of Gerrards mistake.
But we will agree to disagree. That's what football is all about, opinions.[/p][/quote]I think in Suarez' case, he is simply a genius footballer. Ex players used to say about King Kenny that he was 2 passes quicker in his head than anyone else and I believe this is the case with Suarez.
To counter your point about Jonny freigner knowing our game too well, the opposite could be said. Joe Hart knows Ballotelli inside out and there were 5 Liverpool players who play everyday with Suarez. So what is our excuse for letting them score the crucial goals?
Simple fact is, they are better than we are!!!GracesDad

A Darener wrote…

How can it be irrelevant, when these players come up against our players game after game? Suarez anticipated Gerrards move for the second goal because he plays with him week in, week out. No other player would have set off from the position he was in to get on the end of Gerrards mistake. But we will agree to disagree. That's what football is all about, opinions.

I think in Suarez' case, he is simply a genius footballer. Ex players used to say about King Kenny that he was 2 passes quicker in his head than anyone else and I believe this is the case with Suarez. To counter your point about Jonny freigner knowing our game too well, the opposite could be said. Joe Hart knows Ballotelli inside out and there were 5 Liverpool players who play everyday with Suarez. So what is our excuse for letting them score the crucial goals? Simple fact is, they are better than we are!!!

Score: 3

vicn1956 says...1:28pm Fri 20 Jun 14

Did Kean have a hand in coaching the defence? He'd probably say- "They were great!"

Did Kean have a hand in coaching the defence?
He'd probably say- "They were great!"vicn1956

Did Kean have a hand in coaching the defence? He'd probably say- "They were great!"

Score: 0

Mike Ferguson says...10:19am Sat 21 Jun 14

were is this 4yr cycle come from for the Manager,he said before they left,we have been together now for 2 years we are well prepared,HE HAD NO GAME PLAN IN EITHER GAME WE PLAYED,there is not a Manager going who will be allowed to say to a board,I am bringing young players along but it will take me 4 years,its results that count,its a poor excuse to say what he is saying,supporters or a club will not accept it,ask any Manager,he was very naive in is planning for the 2 games at International level,no Managers job is easy these days but dont try and kid us.

were is this 4yr cycle come from for the Manager,he said before they left,we have been together now for 2 years we are well prepared,HE HAD NO GAME PLAN IN EITHER GAME WE PLAYED,there is not a Manager going who will be allowed to say to a board,I am bringing young players along but it will take me 4 years,its results that count,its a poor excuse to say what he is saying,supporters or a club will not accept it,ask any Manager,he was very naive in is planning for the 2 games at International level,no Managers job is easy these days but dont try and kid us.Mike Ferguson

were is this 4yr cycle come from for the Manager,he said before they left,we have been together now for 2 years we are well prepared,HE HAD NO GAME PLAN IN EITHER GAME WE PLAYED,there is not a Manager going who will be allowed to say to a board,I am bringing young players along but it will take me 4 years,its results that count,its a poor excuse to say what he is saying,supporters or a club will not accept it,ask any Manager,he was very naive in is planning for the 2 games at International level,no Managers job is easy these days but dont try and kid us.

Score: 0

A Darener says...11:49am Sat 21 Jun 14

Put all the young players in for final game...Jones etc. Drop Rooney, Gerrard etc.

Put all the young players in for final game...Jones etc. Drop Rooney, Gerrard etc.A Darener

Put all the young players in for final game...Jones etc. Drop Rooney, Gerrard etc.

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